BANGLADESH

Jatiya Party, a component of the ruling combine, is launching a long-march from the city towards Teesta Barrage on Tuesday demanding just share of Teesta water from India.

Party chairman Hussein Mohammad Ershad MP will lead the two-day long-march, which will start from the party's Banani office in the city at 9am.

JP secretary general A B M Ruhul Amin Hawlader in a press release here on Monday said the motorcade of 2,000 cars would set out from Dhaka and another 2,000 cars will join it after it reaches Rangpur town.

The long-march will stay overnight in Rangpur on Tuesday and will restart from Rangpur Zilla School the next morning for Teesta Barrage at Dalia in Nilphamari district.

Ershad will address a public rally on Teesta Barrage ground on Wednesday afternoon. He will also address 16 street rallies during the two-day long-march, Ruhul said in the media statement.

"Though India is our friendly neighbouring country, they want to turn Bangladesh into desert by constructing dams on different common rivers. We'll create awareness among the people [against the dams] through the long-march," he said.

The JP secretary general alleged that India was behaving inhumanly with Bangladesh.

Though the deal on Teesta water sharing was expected to be signed during Indian prime minister Manmohan Singh's visit to Dhaka in September last year, the attempt remained unfruitful as West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee raised her objection at the last moment.

Later, Manmohan said the issue of not signing the Teesta deal was sorrowful.

Agriculture of the country's northern region depends mostly on water of the Teesta, a common river that flows through West Bengal. Bangladesh wants sufficient share of its water in all seasons throughout the year.

A probe has found allegations of corruption and irregularities in granting bails against a judge of Dhaka metropolitan sessions court valid.

Investigation officer Syed Aminul Islam, also National Legal Aid Centre director, submitted the probe report to law ministry on Jan 2.

Syed Aminul said there were allegations that vacation judge ASM Aminul Islam granted bails to accused in cases filed over fake currency notes, drug peddling and murder of private university student Kamrunnahar Nadia.

"Validity of the allegations has been found in some of the cases," he said.

Comilla district and sessions judge ASM Aminul was given the jurisdiction to hear cases at vacation bench in December last year.

Following the media newspaper reports, the law ministry had constituted the one-member probe committee.

Britain has urged Bangladesh to focus more on giving the private sector a lift and ensuring a healthy democracy is in place for overall development of the country.

"At the end of the day, what matters is wealth creation, growth and employment, and one of the ways to achieve these are to boost the private sector," British secretary of state Andrew Mitchell said at a media briefing here on Monday.

Mitchell, who arrived in Dhaka on Saturday, has met prime minister Sheikh Hasina, as well as the foreign and finance ministers, besides visiting some British aid projects.

On Monday, he reaffirmed that British aid to Bangladesh would be increased in the coming years. "The aid is scaled up to £1 billion for this year and the next three years," he said.

He said the money would be spent on upgrading basic service, developing the private sector, and fighting climate change.

ON TERRORISM

Noting that terror activities were not seen in the country over the last three years, Mitchell said, "It is a matter of great confidence that Bangladesh is free from terrorism."

Referring to the 2004 grenade attack on Anwar Chowdhury, the then British high commissioner to Bangladesh, he said no such event has recurred in the last three years since this government assumed office.

ON GRAMEEN BANK

Mitchell said he and the British government are great admirers of Prof Mohammed Yunus and the Grameen Bank for their role in "lifting millions of poor out of poverty".

"Bangladesh," he said, "should be proud of this Nobel laureate."

Asked if he discussed Yunus or Grameen Bank with prime minister Hasina, Mitchell said he talked about them with foreign minister. "I told her (Dipu Moni) that Prof Yunus has made immense contribution to help poorest of the poor. Now Grameen Bank has 8.3 million clients and 90 per cent of them are women," he said.

"The foreign minister also agreed with it."

Asked about his reaction to Yunus's removal from Grameen Bank, Mitchell said, "The foreign minister referred to some rules and regulations of the country in this regard, and we agreed with it."

ON ASSISTANCE

Mitchell clarified that the assistance Britain provides must be result-oriented, as it is taxpayers' money. "Britain is in trouble but we stood by our commitment to provide aid to Bangladesh," he said.

He also stressed that this fiscal aid depends on robust delivery of results, emphasising value for money, and accountability for every British pound spent. "There must be result (achieved with) the taxpayers' money spent on different projects," he stressed.

Visiting Khulna, Mitchell met some extremely poor communities vulnerable to climate change, and also went to households headed by women who have received grants to establish small businesses and generate income.

"What I saw today is clear proof that aid works," he said. "The people I have met – and 15 million more around the country - are being supported by UK Aid, which is improving hugely their ability to cope with natural disasters."

Jahangirnagar University proctor Arju Mia has resigned amid strong protests from teachers and students following the death of an undergraduate.

"I have resigned in view of the prevailing circumstances," he told journalists at the university's administration building around noon on Monday after submitting his resignation.

A media release issued by the public relations office said, "Professor Dr Mohammad Arju Mia has willingly stepped down from the proctor's post, considering the existing situation (that) arose following the death of Zubair Ahmed, a fourth-year student of English department."

He turned in his resignation to allow the university's "regular activities to continue", the statement added.

Though he has resigned as proctor, Arju still retains the posts of provost of Shaheed Rafique-Zabbar Hall and president of the university shop owners' association.

On January 8, some activists, allegedly owing allegiance to the Bangladesh Chhatra League, assaulted and stabbed Zubair Ahmed, who succumbed to injuries the following day at a private hospital in Dhaka.

Students and teachers raised their voice almost immediately, with students still carrying on their boycott of classes. They have made four demands of the JU authorities, including resignation of the proctor.

DEMAND 'PARTLY MET'

Raihan Rhyne, a teacher of the Philosophy department, said: "Our demands have been fulfilled partially. Our key demands, the resignation of the proctorial body and rustication of miscreants from the university, are yet to be fulfilled, though.
"We have also demanded that the university administration pay compensation to Zubair's family. Our movement will continue till the authorities fulfill all our demands."

Addressing the media after the proctor's resignation, the students announced that they would carry on their protests till all their demands are met.

English department student Hafiz-al-Asad said, "We have presented a memorandum to vice-chancellor Sharif Enamul Kabir. Our next (set of) programmes will be announced after the syndicate meeting in the afternoon.

"We believe the proctor has been forced to resign amid strong protest and criticism from the students, as also for negligence to his responsibilities."

Three students have so far been shown arrested by the police for their alleged involvement in the killing. The university administration permanently rusticated three students found guilty in the case.

A security officer was also sacked regarding this incident.

A professor of Chemistry department, Arju Mia was appointed as the proctor in mid-2009.

The directorate general of family planning has instructed its medical officers to give antibiotics soon after completion of permanent and long-acting birth control procedures, though experts find the method 'illogical' and not based on 'evidence'.

Authorities concerned told  that they took the decision after a technical committee's recommendation. The committee's advice came following reports of infections after receiving permanent birth control methods.

"It was a mistake to advise antibiotic after implant (a long-acting birth control method)," said Dr AKM Mahbubur Rahman, the line director of Clinical Contraception Services Delivery Programme, who signed the memorandum --  possesses a copy.

A  investigation found the family planning authorities have no evidence about infections after simple procedures of vasectomy (for men) and tubectomy (women).

Field staff from different places confirmed that they did not submit any reports of infection among users of permanent methods – vasectomy and tubectomy -- to the directorate.

It is also learnt that the line director issued the letter even before a committee's meeting to decide on the antibiotic for each dose.

The memorandum instructed medical officers under the family planning directorate to give 14 pieces of Ciprofloxacin tablet twice a day for seven days. It also instructed them to give the tablets after surgical procedure.

Line director Mahbubur Rahman said it aims to prevent infection: "We took the decision following a national technical committee's recommendation."

'INCORRECT DOSAGE'

But pharmacologist Dr Md Sayedur Rahman of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University said the doses mentioned in the letter is "not correct".

"For preventive use, it's a single dose each day for a maximum 48 hours," he said. In case of infection after procedures, the staff should look into the instruments they used during those minor procedures, he said.

"There is no chance of infection if you properly sterilise the instruments, gauge and bandages," Dr Sayedur Rahman said. In minor surgeries, he added, a single dose of antibiotic is recommended just before the surgery.

He also criticised the choice of Ciprofloxacin since it is resistant to almost half the bacteria. "Do they have any assessment whether the antibiotic Ciprofloxacin will work?" he asked.

PROBLEMS IN DIRECTORATE

It is still unclear why the family planning directorate took the decision on immediate antibiotics, but an official (name withheld on request) told  that it involves a huge contract for drugs. The directorate, the anonymous official said, has targets of ensuring over 0.4 million permanent methods in a year as part of its population control programme.

Line director Dr Rahman confirmed that they would buy Ciprofloxacin this year. But "I cannot say its cost right now," he said. "We will buy it along with other drugs."

Diverging with pharmacologist Dr Sayedur Rahman, he said, "Different antibiotics should be administered in different doses as preventive measure."

Not willing to produce any evidence of infections, he contended: "We have a shortage of doctors for family planning services. Nearly 800 posts are lying vacant. So we cannot do all procedures in clinics -- sometimes we set up camps where a doctor has to carry out 50 or 60 cases.

"In such situations, quality can be compromised (and) it increases the risk of infection."

He claimed that antibiotic was also used before 2000 when a director instructed not to use over 15 percent cases. "But after the instruction we saw a decline in permanent method receivers. Probably people did not come in fear of post-procedure infection."

According to the director, the decision to administer antibiotics was taken "after the technical committee's recommendation".

NO 'ILLOGICAL USE', PLEASE

Technical committee member Prof Md Ismail Khan, also head of Dhaka Medical College's pharmacology department, said he is opposed to any "illogical" use of antibiotics.

"I have recommended that antibiotics could only be used if there are proper evidence of infection," he said. "Sometimes we can use antibiotics to cut post-surgery infections cost."

Khan, however, did not want to comment when asked whether any evidence of infection has been placed in their technical committee meeting. "Ask the directorate for evidence," he said. "I am a technical person (and) I can only talk about technical aspect of drugs."

He reiterated that it is "illogical" to use antibiotics if aseptic measures can be taken before those procedures.

Prof Khan confirmed that they did not take any decision about which drug will be used in which form.

Another technical committee member (name withheld to protect identity since he is with the family planning directorate) said their field staff have never reported about infections from those who underwent permanent birth control methods.

He said a small committee had been formed to decide the antibiotic to be used, and its dosage. "But they issued the instruction before our meeting," he said.

He said Ciprofloxacin would not have been the choice if they could meet.

In reply, the line director maintained, "We have fixed the dose after discussing it with clinicians later."

He said, "We made the correction after an inadvertent mistake –giving the antibiotic after implant."

According to doctors, in implant a small, flexible tube is inserted under the skin in the inner upper arm. A simple procedure, it has little chance of infection.

In vasectomy, a permanent contraception method for men, a small cut it made in the skin of the scrotum, usually under local anaesthetic. Vas deferens that carries sperm to the penis are cut and tied or sealed with heat.

In female sterilisation, a small cut is made in the lower abdomen under local or a light general anaesthetic. The fallopian tubes are then cut and tied, or sealed or blocked, usually with clips.

In a major administrative shuffle, the government has named new deputy commissioners (DCs) for 10 districts and additional deputy commissioners (ADCs) for three.

The public administration ministry issued separate orders to this effect on Monday.

Six of the incumbent DCs have been relocated elsewhere, while the transfer order for the rest four is yet to be issued.

Of the newly appointed DCs, deputy secretary of the local government department Anol Chandra Das has been appointed the DC of Pirojpur district, chief executive officer of Jhalokathi district council Khandaker Mostafizur Rahman as the DC of Bhola district, private secretary to the state minister for public works Nurul Islam as Gazipur district DC, CEO of Pabna district council Mohammad Jafar Ullah as the Natore DC, deputy director of Bangladesh Government Press (BG Press) Mohammad Zakir Hossain as the DC of Sherpur district, deputy director of Urban Primary Health Care Project-2 Dr Mohammad Anwar Hossain as Satkhira DC and deputy director of the local government department in the Dhaka divisional commissioner's office K M Tariqul Islam as the DC of Bandarban district.

Deputy secretary of the health and family planning ministry Khaja Abdul Hannan has been shifted as the DC to Jhenaidah district, deputy secretary of the public works ministry Sarwar Mahmud to Bogra district and deputy secretary of the Roads and Highway department Dr Shah Alam as the DC to Chapainawabganj district.

The government has reduced income tax on investments in an effort to stabilise the stock market.

The cabinet cleared a proposal in this regard in a meeting chaired by prime minister Sheikh Hasina on Monday.

Her press secretary Abul Kalam Azad said the change was made to make the capital market dynamic and bring investors' confidence back in the market.

The amendment proposes cutting taxes on mutual fund investment income. Also, the 10 percent tax on foreign investors' profit would be removed.

Tax on source on brokerage house commissions is proposed to be reduced to 0.05 percent from 0.1 percent.

Azad also said, "We know the capital market is risky. It is inappropriate for those in government service to be in this business."

Then he said, "Later the ministry will issue a paper on the matter."

The comments created confusion as to whether the government was trying to prevent state officials from investing.

Later Azad told  that his remarks about the government officials and employees investing in the market were 'off the record' and it was a misunderstanding with the journalists.

The law in force stipulates that public servants cannot be involved with any other profitable ventures, but they have been investing in the capital market, thanks to legal loopholes.

The Khondoker Ibrahim Khaled-led panel formed to investigate last Dec-Jan crash in the market had also proposed shutting the door on the opportunity for government officials to put their money into stocks.

TRAFICKING LAW APPROVED

The cabinet meeting also approved anti-human trafficking law with capital punishment as the highest penalty.

The draft law was approved earlier on Dec 12 last year in the cabinet and was brought there again on Monday for some additions and corrections.

WAGE COMMISSION PROPOSAL CLEARED

The cabinet also gave final approval to the proposals of National Wages and Productivity Commission-2010.

The proposal fixes workers' pay in state-owned institutions from Tk 4,175 to 5,600.

A Tk 700 medical allowance is also proposed, as well as Tk 100 tiffin allowance and a transport allowance of Tk 150 for them.

The commission was formed in Oct 19, 2010 with former secretary Mahe Alam as its head.